Kouripoulaiv, it IS a big jump. The first week, we run a total of 8 minutes per day. Weeks two & three may be structured differently but we run no more than 9 minutes per day each week. Week 4, that jumps up to SIXTEEN minutes. That's a jump no matter how you measure it. I keep telling myself the first three weeks are 'running prep' - nursery school for the runner I want to be.

W1D2 just completed... so far so good.

Just finished W1D1 tonight. But I just realized that I had the time backwards and did 90 seconds of running and 60 seconds of walking, oops! My calves are making me pay for the mistake tonight!

Man...I think I had a little bit of a mental block going in to week 4. 

Last night I was thinking 16 minutes?????  They want me to jog for 16 minutes!?!?!?!?  (THANKS slogon! )

And then I had a headache, and my stomache kind of hurt and I was generally not in the best place...But my husband met me at the gym (motivation to actually show up!!!)  I changed, stretched, and got on the treadmill.  I kept telling myself the goal was to do the routine as given.  I kept it slow...and in my head I was saying, "Ok, Good job, keep going...the tightness in your legs will probably get worse, you'll probably be wishing for it to finish, but keep going...keep going...you're doing good." I also kept telling myself to focus on the rythmn of my feet hitting the treadmill...like thinking about getting into a groove instead of "how many more minutes do I have" 

The 2 1/2 minute walk in the middle seemed to take the longest.  And I was counting down in the last 5 minute section. 

The last minute of the last part of jogging I had a huge smile across my face.  Who was it that was talking about pumping their fists on their front steps???? I SO wanted to do that.  I was proud.  I did it!!!!!

Now...to do it two more times this week...CRAZY!

Kris, We're at the same place in the program!  Only you are running at a higher incline and faster speed than me.  I was definitely moving at a crawl...at the pace I did last night I could finish a 5K in about 49 minutes. Think I'm going to try to pick up that pace a bit tomorrow for day 2...we'll see if I can.  : )

Happy Running Y'all...I have an off day tonight...probably going to hit the weights and stay away frmo Cardio..maybe a quick 20 minutes on a bike or something. 

YAY!

Can I chime in even though I started in November? I just started week 5 yesterday. That 20 minutes on Friday is looking seriously daunting.

This is my...13th(?) time trying C25k.  I only made it past week one once, about 10 years ago.  I finished the C25K, but after that I just didn't know what to do anymore, so I just...stopped.  This time I'm hoping to make it a life-long habit.

I want to love running, so I really am determined.

I did W3D3 this morning as I played hooky from school. My oldest son is in town so he got up with me and did it too!!  It was so pleasurable using him with me!!!  He said he is going out with me each time I go while he s hoe. Talk about motivation!!!!!  He graduates in May and is moving to California so any extra time with him s a blessing!!

Anyway, I was surprised that W3D3 didn't suck. Day 2 seemed to be such a struggle on sunday. We'll see how W4 goes tomorrow. I do hot yoga on my days off and that helps me feel more stretched out.

Kouripoulavi-- keep up the great work. It is so invigorating and exciting, isn't it!!!!!!

I am so glad you guys are "out there". Today I did W3D1 on the flats on the beach road. I even talked my husband into joining me since I was a little distracted and thought maybe he would be good company. He was and I made it through without having to stop or without any great pain. I'm so pleased that I could do it since prior to starting this program I could barely run to the end of our lane without feeling totally wiped out. Thanks for being out there for support, I love reading everyone's comments and sharing the excitement that comes with moving forward.

@clockersfancy: 

The podcast that I use is called something like 'NHS Couch to 5K' or NHS Choices (I am not too sure which).  I downloaded it from their website to my iPod but I have heard there are aps too.

I believe iTunes also has a version (or two) of a C25K podcast but the music was not to my liking.  I'd love to find one with music that I like.  For now, the NHS version is OK (I have one earbud in listening to the podcast and one ear listening to a show on TV).  And I like the sound of the womans voice (and her accent).  It really helps to have someone in your ear telling you when to walk and when to run.